Case closed: No charges in fatal Lebanon shooting

LEBANON, Maine — No charges will be brought against the man who reportedly shot and killed Aaron Jones in October 2011, according to the Attorney General's Office.

Deputy Attorney General William Stokes said the state could not disprove that Joseph Turner, of Lebanon, Maine, shot Jones in self-defense on Oct. 20, 2011, and no charges against Turner have been brought forward.

He said the case is now closed.

Jones, 38 years old at the time, died of multiple gunshot wounds at a mobile home at 213 Oak Hill Road. Jones, and homeowners Joseph and Sarah Turner, were the only ones home when the shooting happened around 11:30 p.m.

Through interviews, the Attorney General's Office learned it was Joseph Turner who shot Jones on Oct. 20, 2011, said Stokes.

While the Maine Medical Examiner's Office had determined that Jones died of multiple gunshot wounds, Stokes could not say Monday how many gunshot wounds were inflicted.

State Police previously said they recovered the handgun that was used in the shooting.

According to Stokes, Jones was reportedly belligerent and threatening just before the shooting occurred.

He said in the state of Maine, as in many other states, once the claim of self-defense is brought forward, the state has the burden of disproving that claim beyond a reasonable doubt. The Attorney General's Office was unable to do so, said Stokes.

Jones, most recently of Skowhegan, had been staying with the Turner couple for a several days when the shooting occurred. He and the Turner couple were believed to be longtime acquaintances.

Maine State Police Sgt. Chris Harriman previously told Foster's that “He came here to get straightened out,” and that Jones had been suffering from mental health issues, as well as having problems with employment.